EXCITEMENT is in the air around Glasgow today as the city gears up for the final weekend of European Championships.

Thousands of Scots are set to descend on the city for the final four days of competition, with the likes of open air swimming, cycling and BMX racing drawing in the crowds.

Meanwhile, George Square and Glasgow Green are keeping the party atmosphere alive throughout the day with the Go Live festival extravaganza.

The city centre hotspot brings together sport, arts, food and drink with something for everyone all in great outdoors.

Over the weekend guests can revel at the jaw-dropping stunt shows by The Clan, Scotland’s cycle stunt team, visit the touring BodyWorks exhibition from Glasgow Science Centre and party at the main stage which hosted daily by Capital FM.

While Scottish artist Jonny Walker is leading young people to create a sustainable sculpture in Glasgow Green, made entirely from recycled materials.

The sculpture will form the centrepiece of the Year of Young People 2018 space at GO LIVE! at the Green during the Glasgow 2018 European Championships.

Fiona Jane Hyslop, cabinet secretary for culture, tourism and external affair, said: “The dedicated Year of Young People area at Glasgow Green is an excellent platform to showcase young people’s talents to local and international visitors.”

While the work of the 3,600 volunteers, who have travelled to the city from more than 17 countries across the globe, has been praised for making the games such a success.

Glasgow 2018 Championships director, Colin Hartley, said: “People really do make Glasgow and our volunteers make the Championships. “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our Team 2018 volunteers.

“They are the heart and soul of the Championships and one of the first points of contact for everyone arriving, taking part in or attending this event. “

The oldest person to take on the volunteering challenge is 88-year-old Mary Black who fell in love with synchronised swimming while on an instructor course in 1962, so when the opportunity arose she knew she had to get involved.

She said: “Glaswegians are said to think with their heart, whenever you come to Glasgow you will always feel welcomed, and to be able to showcase my city and my sport at the same time is very special for me.”

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS

Gymnastics at The SSE Hydro – Qualifiers 9.45am – 9pm

The gymnastics competition kicks off the with first men’s team subdivision qualifiers ahead of the finals on Sunday. Dominick Cunningham, James Hall, above, Max Whitlock, Joe Fraser and Courtney Tulloch will fly the flag for Team GB, taking on the likes of Greece, Hungary and Germany.

Swimming (Open Water) at Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park – Finals 9.15am – 12.15pm 

Loch Lomond will host the 10K men and women’s finals today. There are no British females taking to the loch for the final but Jack Burnell, Caleb Hughes and Tobias Robinson will go head-to-head with 35 of their fellow athletes to take home the gold. 

Triathlon at Strathclyde Country Park – Finals 1.15pm – 4.30pm

Three days of triathlon action begins with the women’s final. Jess Learmonth, India Lee and Beth Potter will go for gold during the three hour event. A further 41 athletes, from the likes of Austria, Belgium and the Czech Republic, are also expected to attend. 

Mela at Festival 2018 in George Square from 3pm

The multi-cultural festival, Glasgow Mela, takes to the stage with a packed programme of music and dance from across the world. Güngur Arts from Barcelona, Circus Raj and Scotland’s own Desi Bravehearts are just some of the acts promising to bring “colour and energy” to the square.

Four Go Wild in Wellies at Glasgow Green from 10.30am

A brand new show for audiences aged three to five-years-old from Scottish company Indepen-dance 4. The show, which will run until August 12, will take youngsters on a whimsical adventure “featuring bobble hats, scarves, tents that have a life of their own”. It promises to give little ones a fun day out no matter what the weather has in store.

DAY EIGHT: CITY RETURNS TO NORMAL AFTER TIME TRIALS CAUSE CHAOS IN GLASGOW

FOLLOWING on from yesterday’s time trials, the dozens of roads which were closed to accommodate the event have since been reopened, resulting in much of Glasgow traffic returning to normal.

Commuters to the City Centre are set for normal driving conditions during morning and evening rush-hours with just the gymnastics qualifiers event taking place at The Hydro today.

While other main events will take place outwith the city, with the likes of golf at Gleneagles and diving in Edinburgh’s Royal Commonwealth Pool, this will help keep traffic problems at a minimum for Glasgow drivers.

Bus services, however, are expected to be busier than normal in the East End of the city.

Operations through Tollcross Road and Shettleston Road will experience more congestion than usual before 9am and from 12pm onwards as a result of the swimming events taking place at Tollcross Swimming Centre.

Festival 2018 events will also see bus services busier than normal throughout the day around the City Centre and Glasgow Green.

Bus congestion is expected to reach its peak this evening, as hundreds flock to the park and George Square to celebrate the day’s events with the exciting Festival 2018 line-up.